SAFE CUSTODY

done to deserve so bitter a trial. We knew even better
than Harris how empty his boasting was and that
all his plans had ^miscarried because we had brought
them to naught. We had pitted ourselves against
him and beaten him time and again. And then at
the last we had opened the door by the side of which
he was waiting and had handed him into the kingdom
from which we had shut him out.
Like a madman, I strained at my bonds, and for
all the good I did, I might have prayed the world to
stand still. ...
The first bale was open now, and Harris and Father
Herman were delving within. It was 'fashioned in
the form of a sack, and within was a second wrapping
of what seemed very fine silk. This was voluminous,
and was folded over and over and stitched again and
again : and at last Harris lost his patience and ripped
the silk.
He plunged in his hands and drew out a fdded
vestment: this was the colour of cream and was
laced with gold.
As he laid it down, the priest drew out a small
object, tied up in a padded bag. In a trice he had
torn off his hood, and I saw his vile fingers trembling,
as he felt for the cords at the mouth of the little old
jewel-case—for such it was.
And then he had it open, and there on his palm
was a little sculptured head, which even I could see
was that of the Gorgon Medusa, with serpents instead
of hair..
Father Herman's breath was whistling, and Harris
looked up sharply, with a hand in the bale.
For a moment he frowned at the jewel. Then—
" Jade," he said shortly.
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